Lamivudine treatment for reverse seroconversion of hepatitis B 4 years after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation

Bone Marrow Transplant. 2002 Feb;29(4):361-3. doi: 10.1038/sj.bmt.1703387.

Abstract

Reverse seroconversion of hepatitis B virus (HBV) after allogeneic BMT is rare. We present a case of HBV reactivation late after allogeneic BMT which responded well to lamivudine therapy. A 35-year-old woman with CML received an allogeneic BMT. Before BMT, the patient had immunity to HBV, with serum antibodies against hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAb), and the donor was completely negative for HBV. Four years after BMT, acute hepatitis occurred with a detectable level of HBV-DNA. Lamivudine rapidly reduced transaminase and bilirubin levels, and serum HBV-DNA decreased to negative. Retrospective analysis revealed that there had been a gradual decrease in serum HBsAb titers after BMT. Administration of lamivudine immediately after HBV replication may be more effective than vaccination of hepatitis B surface antigen-negative donors before BMT.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Bone Marrow Transplantation / adverse effects*
  • DNA, Viral / blood
  • Female
  • Hepatitis B / drug therapy*
  • Hepatitis B / etiology*
  • Hepatitis B / virology
  • Hepatitis B Antibodies / blood
  • Hepatitis B Antigens / blood
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppression Therapy / adverse effects
  • Lamivudine / therapeutic use*
  • Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive / therapy
  • Recurrence
  • Time Factors
  • Transplantation, Homologous

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • DNA, Viral
  • Hepatitis B Antibodies
  • Hepatitis B Antigens
  • Lamivudine